Further Update

Majorca was fantastic and the Sa Calobra climb in particular was well worth the effort. Apart from riding the first 3 stages of the TdeF I have been getting back in to riding the local time trials now I know how hard I can push myself with the stent doing its job. Back to times that I was doing a few years ago.  

Further Update

Still riding and enjoying it and have continued all winter. However I have been training more than usual as I am off to Majorca with the youngsters for a week at the end of March. I am still very happy to receive more donations if you think it is a good cause.

Story Update.

So, aged 60, Stent inserted, full training commences after being given the all clear in early March this year, the blood clots in the left ventrical had gone. In spite of the Beta blockers slowing me up when climbing Leith Hill in particular, I managed a very pleasing time of 4hrs 37mins 21secs.

My Story

In June 2012 I managed to achieve a lifelong ambition of riding up Mt Ventoux. It took me about 1hr and 50minutes not including stopping to pay my respects to Tommy Simpson and to leave an old well used cap on his memorial, placed where he died riding in the 1967 Tour De France. I was aware that I should not overdo it on the way up as I did not want to join TS on the mountain.

What I did not know was that my heart had the LAD, left ventricle artery 75 - 95% blocked. I only found out while taking part in a 25 mile time trial on September the 15th 2012, when I had to stop because of severe chest pain. After seeing the doctor and being referred to the Cardiac Unit in High Wycombe, I was admitted to hospital for either open heart surgery or a stent. Luckily the stent was sufficient but I had some blood clots in the left ventricle and had to therefore take warfarin, along with all the other pills…. 

I took 6 months off the bike and walked every day all winter to ensure a level of fitness. When it was confirmed that the blood clots in my left ventricle had gone and I had stopped taking the warfarin I started my ride back to fitness. Due to loss of heart muscle I will never get back to my original levels of performance and age is not on my side but I do not have to work so hard to maintain fitness as my heart gets all the blood it needs now. I did not realise at this time that some of the symptoms had been present but I was not aware of their meaning.

In order to give myself a target I agreed to ride the Maratona sportive in the Italian Dolomites with some friends, which I did at the end of June. I rode the medium course consisting of 3000mtrs of climbing and 65miles distance. It was a fantastic experience with some 9,000 riders taking part, soon to be repeated at the Prudential Ride 100 event on 4th August but without the mountains. 

I am very very grateful to the team at the Cardiac Unit for sorting me out and for making it a stress free experience. While I was at the unit recovering and waiting to go home, a woman in her early 30's was diagnosed using a new machine, which I suspect though not pleasant for her gave a clear picture of her condition. Without this machine she would not have been diagnosed so swiftly and might have missed the opportunity to be treated. So that others in our position can be treated using the most up to date and efficient equipment, I want to raise funds in order that the unit can purchase what is required for that to happen.

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